Ottawa Senators vs New York Rangers Game 7 2012 NHL Playoff Odds

by Scott Burgess on Thursday, April 26th, 2012

It’s “Seventh Heaven” tonight, Thursday April 26th, between the New York Rangers and visiting Ottawa Senators for Game 7 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. New York has won all three of its previous Game 7 matches at Madison Square Garden. NHL oddsmakers have installed the Rangers as -160 moneyline home favorites over the Senators (+150) with the over/under set at 5 goals. Be sure to check the Ottawa Senators vs New York Rangers Game 7 2012 NHL Playoff Odds before they drop the puck.

Ottawa got goals from Chris Neil and Jason Spezza, while Craig Anderson stopped 19 shots for Ottawa. With two playoff wins at MSG, Anderson’s career record in Manhattan is now 8-1. His goals against average is a tidy 1.42 and his save percentage a sterling .957 heading into Game 7 tonight.

The Senators are 0-4 all-time in Game 7s, but they have posted a 4-1 record at MSG this season, including a 2-1 mark in this series. A win tonight would mark just the second time they have claimed three road victories in one series. They also did so in defeating the Buffalo Sabres for the 2007 Eastern Conference banner.

The Senators believe they’re on the verge of something special, a No. 8 seed knocking off the No. 1-ranked Rangers and Ottawa moving onto Round 2 for the first time since 2007. “It’s do or die. Everybody understands the mentality,” said winger Nick Foligno. “We don’t think we have to change a lot. We know that we’ve played really well to this point in the series and we have to keep our emotions in check.

New York posted a 3-2 victory in Monday’s game in Ottawa to even this best-of-seven series at three wins apiece. Derek Stepan recorded a goal and two assists and Chris Kreider netted a goal, while goalie Henrik Lundqvist made 25 saves for the Rangers. Brad Richards also added a goal and an assist for New York.

Tonight’s tilt marks the first Game 7 at Madison Square Garden since the Rangers beat Vancouver, 3-2, to win the Cup in ’94. New York is 3-5 all-time in Game 7s, but is 3-0 in seventh games at MSG. “For the young guys, it’s a pretty special experience — playoffs alone, but Game 7s are amazing,” said Brad Richards, who won a pair of Game 7s en route to winning the Stanley Cup in 2004 with the Lightning and his current coach John Tortorella. Rangers forward Ruslan Fedotenko leads all players in this game with three goals and four points over four Game 7 appearances.

The Rangers will be playing with desperation and fortitude. “When you’re at a time when you’re season is on the line, the mental aspect is a bigger challenge,” Lundqvist said. “The key is to just control your emotions and focus on the right things. We’ll approach this game the way we approached the last game.”

The Bottom Line: Let’s go RANGERS! Want to dominate the books this season with some of the best NHL Picks Experts in the business? Then sign up right now and get NHL Picks Free!

Recent Trends to Consider:
Under is 21-8-1 in the last 30 meetings in New York.
Senators are 5-1 in their last 6 games as an underdog of +110 to +150.
Senators are 4-1 in their last 5 games as a road underdog of +110 to +150.
Senators are 8-2 in their last 10 games as a road underdog.
Rangers are 8-2 in their last 10 games playing on 2 days rest.
Rangers are 1-4 in their last 5 games as a home favorite of -151 to -200.
Rangers are 1-4 in their last 5 home games.
Rangers are 0-4 in their last 4 games following a win.
Senators are 1-4 in their last 5 games playing on 2 days rest.